"If I can’t play football, sometimes I get a bit down because I don’t know what I should do. Sometimes I’m in a bad mood.

"But the lads helped me and the physio team too, telling me 'you have to do everything you can to get back on the pitch.' And that’s what we did."

Watch: See how McKennie got his first league goal for Schalke in October

The former FC Dallas youngster said he was boosted by the fact that many of his Schalke teammates had sent him messages of encouragement, and now he hopes to help the Royal Blues steer further clear of the relegation zone.

McKennie feels fit enough to make a comeback against Hoffenheim and – although he’s not sure how big a role he will play – he’s just happy to be back.